Few weapons would be more appropriate for a zombie apocalypse than the crossbow. Popularized by The Walking Dead, it has a natural place in Dying Light: The Beast as the Hunting Crossbow. The late-game weapon is one of the best in the entire game, but to unlock it is a struggle and a matter of careful planning.
Unlocking the Hunting Crossbow
The Crossbow of the Hunter is connected to a side mission known as “Hunting Yaga.” To even attempt this mission, you must be at least Level 11 and have claimed the Safe Zone of the Abandoned House in the National Park. Once those requirements are fulfilled, an NPC by the name of Max will show up at your hideout. He sends you hunting the Yaga with a promise of his favorite crossbow, “Lizzy,” waiting for you in return.
The actual task is cleverly straightforward on paper: go into the forest in the evening, encounter a miniboss, and then fight groups of human foes. The catch is that you have to do this under the cover of darkness, when Volatiles are patrolling the area. Since they complicate matters by joining any combat, and since they’re attracted by gunfire, it’s best to use melee, Molotovs, and other non-noisemaker equipment to manage the mayhem.
After the Yaga is defeated and the request of Max is completed, the Hunting Crossbow is rewarded automatically at the mission’s end. It then joins your arsenal from there.
Operating the Crossbow
While it is similar to the bow, the Hunting Crossbow is much better. It lacks a durability meter, so it cannot ever break, and even standard bolts can kill most infected within one or two careful shots. Bolts can usually be picked up from enemies or the environment, making it surprisingly durable for such a powerful weapon.
Crafting ammunition is simple and cheap. Four bolts take only twelve Scrap and two Feathers to make. Along the way, you will also unlock specialty bolts like Fire Bolts and Shock Bolts, each with special tactical value. The crossbow itself cannot be upgraded, but its raw power more than compensates for that fact.
Why It’s Worth It
The Hunting Crossbow is quite possibly the most satisfying weapon in Dying Light: The Beast. It lets you deal with enemies silently, effectively, and from afar, and it’s worth its weight in gold both in co-op and by yourself. The “Hunting Yaga” quest will try your patience, but the reward—a never-ending reusable, overpowered weapon—is well worth it.
